Crime Prevention

Crime prevention and suppression can not be the sole responsibility of the Police Department. It is critical that each individual resident and business owner take steps to assist in the prevention of criminal behavior.

Many crimes occur when persons with criminal intent are presented with the opportunity to realize their goals. The crime prevention process is intended to remove or lessen this opportunity. The Police Department contributes to this effort by visible and vigilant patrol, but this alone will not eliminate criminal activity. The suggestions below will assist in our joint efforts at reducing criminal behavior.

The Four "D's" of Crime Prevention

Our homes and possessions represent a lifetime of investments. The home is emotionally, the haven from problems that plague us from the outside world. Most crime that take place at a residence involve some type of theft, and most crimes committed against the home (42%) occur without force. These crimes like any other require desire, but more importantly opportunity. You can take measures to prevent or reduce the opportunity involving these types of crime by focusing on the following.

There are four principles of residential security that if applied, will dramatically reduce your chances of becoming a victim. The four principles can be described as the four D's:

Deter

Delay

Deny

Detect

Deter

Deter is the core element of opportunity. This involves several techniques mainly targeted toward the exterior of the residence. These are designed to make your home a 'risky' target. These include lighting, signs, and your immediate environment in general.

Delay

If you are unsuccessful in deterring the criminal then the focus should turn toward delaying the criminal. The longer it takes for a burglar to break into your home the more chance he has of being caught, and the burglar knows this. According to the National Sheriff's Association if you can delay the criminal for four to five minutes, it is generally sufficient to prevent entry. These tactics include door and window locks designed to resist entry.

Deny

If the burglar is neither deterred or delayed then to deny the criminal access to your valuables is the next consideration. These strategies include marking household property, using a safe, and keeping inventories.

Detect

Finally, detecting the criminal is obviously an important piece of the puzzle. Detection involves devices such as alarms, neighborhood watch, and even dogs.